Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Houzz: Quick Fix How to Patch A Drywall Hole

Hey there!

Homes, even beautifully designed ones, receive their fair share of abuse over the years. Unsightly holes from repair projects gone wrong, rough and tumble children or those pesky doorknobs can detract from the lovely home you've created. While seemingly daunting, most small- to medium-size holes take little time to repair, and the fix can be done by the most novice handyman (or woman) — getting your home back to being the envy of the block.

BEFORE: This 2-inch divot from a wayward hammer stroke was in a visible location just beneath the mounting hardware of ourMoen Glenshire Pivoting Mirrorand in desperate need of being patched. To learn how you can repair holes in your drywall, just like we did, jump on over to my latest Houzz Ideabook.





Hopefully, I can show a little more control with the hammer.  If not at least I know how to fix my mistakes.

Until next time,








Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Blame It On The O-O-O-O-O-Orange Lamps

Hey there!

Phew!  It sure does feel good to be back.  While I've been incommunicado I've had plenty of time to get my home cleaned and organized. But it wasn't being unplugged or the impending return of my lovely fisherman, it was these orange bedside lamps that got my organization engine roaring.


I know I've mentioned this before but clutter is our number one foe at Casa de Padgett.  I've gotten the kitchen pretty much clutter free - aside from one section of counter that always seems to collect junk - by implementing some much needed wall storage and Luke's room is freshly painted and organized.  The living room is usually not too bad, but our bedroom...our bedroom usually looks like a tornado made its way through.


Unmade bed, overfilled bedside tables, cluttered floor.  Messy but liveable, right?  Yeah and then the rest of the room comes into view...

Holy hoarders!


And then a little further...as you can see I love piles of clothes.  Back before we moved to our little village and before we spent our lives chasing a toddler around, our bedroom was clean and organized and had a bit of style going on (like 3 years ago when we lived in Seattle.)  But since having Luke and moving, our bedroom has been seriously neglected. 


It's a temporary space for us until we finish the upstairs so I was never really motivated to style it.  That meant it remained a mainly white room.  Relaxing it was not.  Now, I know crisp white rooms like this one and this one are airy and calming, but my all white room was more mental hospital than relaxing retreat.  The clutter wasn't helping the not-so relaxing atmosphere either.

After a moment of clarity, realizing that we probably wouldn't be finishing the upstairs for a few years and that we really needed a place we could unwind after a busy day, I got my booty in gear.  I put the clothes away, cleaned the clutter and removed everything aside from the furniture and the lamps.  Then I got to styling.


If you notice in the first "Before" photo the window behind the bed is not centered on the wall.  That REALLY bugs me.  So, I extended the curtain rod to utilize the curtains to trick the eye into thinking its centered.  {It still isn't perfect, but it's better than it was.}  It gives this wall a cozier vibe, and surprisingly makes the wall feel larger.


The upholstered Ikea Morkedal bed got a boost of color and texture with the mid to late 20th century Chimayo blanket which was a thrifting score, as was the bed, side tables, bench...actually EVERYTHING in this room aside from the dresser, the four Ikea frames and postcards, tv and the rug were purchased at a thrift store.  Now, that is pretty amazing.

More texture was added to this area with one small potted plant on each Ikea Hemnes nightstand.  Luckily these are both water misers so hopefully I can keep them alive.



The nightstands were cleared off, wiped down and along with the plants and lamps I left the personal photos.  A stack of books with their dustjackets removed were placed on each bottom shelf to add another boost of color.  The art on the walls are a combination of homemade prints, such as the Our Song Typography Print and a drawing of our view from our first house in the Astoria area.  The zinc letter J is originally from Anthropologie but I snagged it from Goodwill.  Now I just need an M for my side of the bed.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that I'll come upon it at a steal or I just might try my hand at making my own like these.



This silver dish is the perfect place to stash my bobby pins, change or any other loose odds and ends.


The opposite side of the room is looking just as exciting.  With a painted rug, a few punches of color, and the bare walls adorned. I'm feeling so much better about this white bedroom.


I pulled a tray from the living room to corral items on the dresser.


My jewelry branch got a trimming.  I chose to only showcase my gold jewelry - all the other non gold items were tucked away in an easy to access jewelry box.  I've also made it easy for any would-be thieves - no need to sift through our drawers creating another tornado of a mess just grab and go!


Above the closet is a large open area perfect for storage.  I've organized our magazines with IKEA's FLYT cardboard magazine files and placed a few books along the edge. In the future I'd like to utilize the space even more and purchase some additional large fabric or cardboard storage boxes like these to house our seasonal clothes.


The last corner of the room was completely bare before the little update.  It was a corner that was visible from the living room so it was in desperate need of some style.  Oh did I fail to mention our bedroom is a mere inches from the living room?  That's why it's temporary because one day we'll be blowing through the wall between this bedroom and the living room to create one large room well equipped for a family to hang out playing games and watching movies with enough personal space to make any claustrophobic happy.


Now this corner is vibrant and dynamic with these vintage reproduction postcards and the mid century modern chair with its bold graphic print.



This room is feeling much warmer and inviting.  I've been more relaxed and in turn sleeping better.  If only I would have done this 8 months ago!


And not only are YOU getting the big reveal today, but so is the hubs...but IN PERSON.  He returns from the Great White North this morning and I am SO EXCITED!

So what about you guys?  Have any room transformations or organizational tips to share?  Or are you like me and expecting a very burly and very stinky husband to arrive home today?  {Just me?  What a lucky gal, I am.}

Until next time,





Thursday, August 23, 2012

Houzz: Quick Fix Reupholster A Chair Seat

Hey there!

This bedroom got an entire overhaul.  Along with the lamps, the vintage reproduction art and the painted rug I also updated a midcentury modern chair.  It, along with three of its friends, was a recent thrift shop score; I purchased four chairs for $20. Yes, $20 total.  Their clean lines and sleek frame plus their solid wood construction made them a perfect addition to our home. One special chair, originally intended for our breakfast nook, is now, happily, stationed in our bedroom.

 
I love the interest the bold fabric creates.  This before photo certainly shows the amazing transformation.


This project was so simple to complete and it really gave the chair the WOW factor.  Want to see all the steps in perfecting reupholstering a chair seat? Check out the full article and all the pictures on Houzz:




I can't wait until the nook is finished so I can get the rest of the chairs reupholstered and out for everyone to enjoy.

Have any experience tackling a reupholstery project?  Something a bit more difficult than this chair?  I'd love to see the results.

Until next time,







Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Everyone's Doing It: Painting a Rug

Hey there!

If you're a frequenter of Pinterest or any other site that touts billions of home DIY projects, I'm sure you've seen the "painted rug" project everywhere.  Bottom line:  rugs are expensive.  They're also incredibly eye catching and can turn a blah room into something spectacular.  So it's really no surprise why making a less expensive version is so popular.


I used a simple flatwoven white IKEA Erslev rug for $39.99 and created a bold white and black striped beauty. 


I taped off stripes on each end and painted one coat of black latex interior paint.


I wasn't quite sure where I'd be using it and I really didn't give much thought to the design - just went with my gut.  With our bedroom nice and clean I decided to use it in there and cover up our ugly brown carpet.


I tried to lay the rug in the bare spot of the floor but the closet doors snagged it and refused to open.  Then I tried to lay it horizontally under the bed so both striped ends would be visible on each side of the bed but the rug was a little too short for our full size bed.  So I ended up going the long way with one end sticking out underneath our table at the end of the bed.


I like the conrast beneath the table, but I feel guilty hiding the other half under the bed.  I'm not sure this will be the rug's final resting place but it's working for now.

So what about you guys?  Have you busted out the paint supplies and created your own graphic print rug?

Until next time,




Monday, August 20, 2012

Vintage Reproduction Postcard Wall Art

Hey there,

I've always been a fan of postcards.  With their beautiful landscape photography or the photo and hilarious quip combination plus a short and sweet message from the sender - nothing beats getting these in the mail.  Josh and I still write each other and I'm sure to send a postcard or two during our summer absences.  This year I picked up a pack of the WPA National Park Service vintage reproduction postcards from REI to send to the hubs.


We're a camping family and these are perfect little reminders of where we've been or want to go.  These prints are gorgeous.  I knew that I didn't just want to send them and shove them in a box to be forgotten.  So I took the postcards and four IKEA Ribba frames at $1.99 a pop and created some amazing graphic wall art for just around $10 total.


I chose these specific prints of Zion National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park for their vibrant colors and dynamic images but more importantly because we want to visit each of these in the near future.


Our grand plan involves a big ol' classic road trip with the family piled into a Volkswagen camper van or towing a shiny metal Airstream, sleeping under the stars and eating far too many fire-roasted hot dogs than a human being should ever consume.  When will this trip happen?  That's still up in the air but at least these prints will keep my imagination and my desire for that classic family vacation fueled until it does.

So what about you guys?  Have any quick art projects to share?  Love postcards as much as I do?  Or are you gearing up for that one last camping trip before school starts?

Until next time,


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Lighting It Up!

Hey there!

Well, I bet ya'll pretty much gave up hope thinking you'd ever see the lamp reveal I promised.  I'm sure you've been tossing and turning the past 6 days racking your brain - "Did she paint them blue?  It must be blue - No, it has to be green.  Or is it orange?  I HAVE TO KNOW!"


These two Lights of America Sun Light Lamps are energy efficient full spectrum lamps and were thrift store purchases for $4.99 each.  Like the style and the full spectrum benefits like increased serotonin levels and vitamin D production?  Get yours here although these lamps new are around $99.

Now before I get to the color I thought I'd share the technical details of spray painting a lamp.  First, tape off the cord and any pieces you don't want painted on the lamp.  


Don't forget to tape off the lightbulb area, as well.  Then, get to painting.  Paint long even strokes.  Instead of doing one heavy coat that could run, plan to paint a few light coats to get a nice smooth finish.


Well, my little lamp obsessed friends here's the moment you've all been waiting for...did you really think I could ever choose any color other than orange?  I mean, if I were a tree I'd be an orange tree so I would always be accessorized by my favorite color. Maybe a Cuties tree because those little mandarin bad boys are the perfect blend of sweet and tart.  Orange is my power color.  And what an amazing color it is.


This little article by Simple Mom shares the specifics behind color theory.  I've always been drawn to reds, oranges and yellows.  According to Simple Mom and other color theorists:
Orange is a warm, inviting, and joyful color. It invokes feelings of sociability, enjoyable connection, and happiness. It has an emotionally strong presence, and promotes extroverted behavior - a fantastic color to use in gathering spaces to promote interaction and relationship building.
Because orange contains red, it can also be overused. Too much orange (or an orange that is too bright or intense) can create overwhelming, irritating or frustrating feelings.
Let's hope the color orange I chose is the perfect shade because we DEFINITELY do not need irritation or frustration in the bedroom. But energy, happiness, connection - that sounds absolutely perfect!


I got a kick out of this little note about green:
While there is not a strongly negative aspect to too much green, it can promote laziness and lack of initiative if overused.
 {Anybody else thinking marijuana?}

Not only are these lamps the perfect color, but they're also the perfect lamps.  They shine the perfect amount of light for the hubs to be reading at night without awakening the sleeping grizzly bear next to him.  {I've been known to be a tad grumpy if awoken from a slumber.}  So with these illuminating wonders we can both be happy.  I guess they were right.  Orange really does increase happiness.


And with the little lamp revamp our bedroom also had a little transformation.  Stay tuned to see the reveal!

What about you guys?  Have you spray painted anything lately?

Until next time,


Houzz: Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint

Hey there!

I'm back!  (Did you know I was missing?)  From forgetting my adapter cord for my camera at my parent's house to my computer's ac charger ripping into two, it's been impossible to post anything.  I have quite a few projects waiting in the wing, but I thought I'd first share my most recent Houzz project - making my own chalkboard paint.


Chalkboard paint is popular thanks to its blend of sentiment, whimsy and practicality. Whether it's painted on walls, furniture or appliances, chalkboard paint has certainly come a long way from the basic green or slate gray boards used in schools.

I love the use of chalkboard paint in unexpected ways — like on the back of a kitchen island or in place of a headboard — but I'm also a classic girl at heart and a fan of the simple chalkboard. The recent transformation of my son's nursery to big kid room had me painting stripes, and I couldn't resist throwing a chalkboard into the mix.  Check out Luke's room transformation here.

And to learn how to make your own chalkboard paint in three easy steps check out my latest Houzz Ideabook.



So what about you guys?  Have you painted a board, wall or maybe a fridge in chalkboard paint?  I'd love to see the results.

Until next time,








Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Houzz: How to Paint Perfect Wall Stripes

Hey there!

Whether they're horizontal or vertical, stripes are one trend I hope won't go out of style any time soon. This versatile motif adds visual interest and can help showcase a room's fine points and de-emphasize flaws.

Use vertical stripes in a room with low ceilings to create the illusion of height, or use wide horizontal stripes in a room with high ceilings to ground the space. Play with the size and color to create a unique look — subtle tone-on-tone stripes of equal size create a subdued and relaxed environment, while bright, contrasting stripes varying in size create a more modern and graphic impact.



Now that I have you ready to bust out your painting supplies, here's a helpful how-to that will help you achieve perfect stripes every time. Check out my latest Houzz Ideabook for all the tips and tricks.





So what about you guys?  Are you fans of using stripes on your walls?  Or do you prefer to use them on decor throughout your home?

Until next time,







Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

Monday, August 6, 2012

August Sponsor Love

Hey there!

Another great summer month with another great list of sponsors!

First up is HomeZada, a killer online and mobile software program to help organize and manage your home.  This software program is amazing!  I recently signed up for the free membership and can't wait to use it to organize our home remodeling projects and catalog my home inventory to be one step closer to being prepared for any emergencies.  Also their multi-home management tool is sure to keep us on top of any maintenance and care for both our condo and current home.   Check out the in-depth feature and giveaway in this post!






And to round out the Featured Sponsors is BLEND Interior Design Studio.  BLEND I.D.S. is a full-service interior design firm out of Seattle, founded by the amazingly talented duo Felicia Farrar and Michelle Dirkse.  You might remember BLEND from my interview with Michelle Dirkse.  Plus, Michelle is the one and only face and mind behind Revamp's Ask Michelle series, where she helps readers tackle their design dilemmas. Have a dilemma of your own?  Be sure to send in your questions to have them answered in our next edition.




I had the opportunity to SWAP ads and be featured at by Aimee & Company.  by Aimee & Company is a website and graphic design company started by Aimee who took a passion and turned it into a career.  by Aimee & Company's designs are fun, beautiful and a perfect representation of her clients.  I actually happened upon Everything's Abuzz that by Aimee & Company had designed, unbeknownst to myself, and shared it with my graphic design friend because I loved it so much!

Need help with your blog design or overall branding?  Check by Aimee & Company out - you're sure to be a happy customer!




 In addition to the sponsors above, I also swapped ads with Carlia from Nestbuilding 101 and Kendra from A Proverbs 31 Wife.  I highly recommend checking out these ladies.  They both, respectively, are amazing how-to references for anything from cooking to crafts.

So that rounds out the sponsors for August.  I hope you'll check out each of them!

Interested in advertising?  Visit the Advertise page above, choose your desired size and click BUY and submit your ad through Passionfruit.  It's quick & painless, I promise!

Until next time,


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